Obituary

Billy “Bill” Gene Hakala

January 23, 1936 - May 7, 2012

Billy Gene (Bill) Hakala passed away May 7, 2012, at St. Charles Hospital in Bend, Ore., at the age of 76.He was born Jan. 23, 1936, in Comanche, Okla., the eldest of four children born to William and Lorene Funkhouser) Hakala.Five years later a sister, Barbara, was born. Then the family moved to California during the war and in December of 1945, moved to Parkdale, where he enjoyed his childhood. There a brother Mike and sister Bonnie joined the clan.He graduated from Wy'east High School in 1955 and later joined the 101st Airborne Paratroopers out of Fort Campbell, Ky. After he was discharged, one summer he and a buddy jumped out of a plane over Wy'east School. He ended up in a pear tree but his buddy was blown off course and ended in the river. Nothing was hurt but their pride. Dr. Wells decided against it.His career consisted mainly in sales and management. He retired from Stackhouse Athletics in Salem and moved to La Pine, Ore.Bill is survived by his son, Brad, of La Pine, and grandson Cody (Emily) Hakala, of Portland; brother Mike (Leanna) Hakala, of Gresham; sisters Barb (Hal) Hausinger, of Parkdale, and Bonne (Ed) Johnson, of Modesto, Calif.; and seven nephews and their families. Also surviving is his good friend and companion, Delores Hicks, of Lincoln City, Ore.There will be no formal services as requested. A family memorial will be held later this summer to celebrate his life and how very much we will miss him. We love you, Bill.